Moscow considers Lithuania's decision to restrict transit to the Kaliningrad region to be unprecedented and illegal, and retaliatory measures will be taken after a serious analysis.
This was stated by the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.
“The decision is truly unprecedented.
This is a violation of everything and everything.
We understand that this is due to the relevant decision of the European Union to extend the sanctions to transit.
We also consider this illegal, ”Peskov said, pointing out that what happened is an element of the blockade of the Russian region.
A Kremlin spokesman described the situation as "more than serious" and requiring "very deep analysis" to be carried out over the next few days.
After that, certain measures and decisions will be formed.
“Now it is necessary to collect points of view through various departments, of course.
There will be interdepartmental events on this matter in order to work out a common position.
I repeat once again: we need a serious, in-depth analysis in order to develop response solutions, ”concluded Peskov.
On June 20, Chargé d'Affaires of Lithuania Virginia Umbrasene was summoned to Smolenskaya Square.
She was strongly protested in connection with the "openly hostile" step of Vilnius to stop the transit of a large range of goods through the territory of Lithuania to the Kaliningrad region.
“If in the near future cargo transit between the Kaliningrad region and the rest of the territory of the Russian Federation through Lithuania is not fully restored, then Russia reserves the right to take actions to protect its national interests,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.
Kaliningrad
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© Sam Diephuis
An attempt to block the Kaliningrad region by Lithuania could lead to “very tough and absolutely legal” responses from Moscow, Andrey Klishas, head of the Federation Council Committee on Constitutional Legislation and State Building, said in his Telegram channel.
Russia should impose a ban on all Lithuanian goods and suspend all existing agreements with Vilnius, State Duma deputy Oleg Morozov told RT: “In case of refusal to comply with our requirements to unblock transit, an ultimatum should be presented on the timing of practical actions to create the Suwalki corridor.”
In turn, Alexei Chepa, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, in a conversation with RT stated that such behavior of Vilnius increases tension in the region.
“This decision contradicts all previously adopted agreements, including on the obligations of their entry into the European Union.
Unfortunately, this contributes to a certain tension in the region.
We will take retaliatory steps,” the parliamentarian said.
Last week, the governor of the Kaliningrad region, Anton Alikhanov, in his Telegram channel announced a notification received from Lithuania about the termination of transit through its territory from June 18 with a “large list of goods” that are subject to EU sanctions.
From 40 to 50% of the range of goods fell under the ban, including building materials, cement, and metals.
According to him, this initiative is "an attempt at economic strangulation" of the region.
“These actions are illegal and may have far-reaching consequences for Lithuania and the European Union,” he said.
The head of the Kaliningrad region also indicated that if illegal restrictions are not lifted, the federal authorities of the Russian Federation will be asked to take appropriate response measures.
In addition, Alikhanov published a letter from the Lithuanian cargo company LTG Cargo, which refers to the explanations of the European Commission on the effect of bans under EU regulation No. ).
Russia was not notified: Zakharov about Lithuania's ban on the transit of goods to Kaliningrad
On June 20, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis confirmed that the transit ban was introduced after consultations with the European Commission and on its recommendations.